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Timberwolves’ Jaden McDaniels doubles down on ‘bad defenders’ Nuggets comments
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- Timberwolves’ Jaden McDaniels doubles down on ‘bad defenders’ Nuggets comments
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The Denver Nuggets and Minnesota Timberwolves are tied at one game apiece heading into Game 3, putting all the pressure on the three-seeded Nuggets. However, forward Jaden McDaniels has put some pressure back onto the home team by calling out the entire Denver unit as a group of "bad defenders."
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McDaniels' comments unsurprisingly turned heads and drew agitated responses from multiple Nuggets players. The sixth-year veteran could not care less and doubled down on his blunt take hours ahead of Game 3.
"A little bit surprised [my comments went viral]," McDaniels said, via Star Tribune reporter Chris Hine. "But it's whatever. It's the playoffs, so that's probably why, but I'm not tripping. You go on your phone, it's hard not to see [people's responses], but it's whatever. I said what I said."
McDaniels' comments came when a reporter asked him for the Timberwolves' game plan for their first home playoff game of the year. He responded by saying everybody on the Nuggets is a "bad defender," specifically naming Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray, Aaron Gordon, Cameron Johnson and Tim Hardaway Jr. as players Minnesota wants to target.
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The Nuggets were much more of an offense-focused team in the regular season, averaging a league-high 121.9 points per game while allowing 116.8 to opponents. However, while their pace led to a lot of points on both ends, Denver's 109.3 defensive rating ranked seventh in the league, four spots above Minnesota.
Despite never being known as a big-time scorer, McDaniels' comments will put a spotlight on him in Game 3. The Timberwolves' 6-foot-9 forward is averaging a career-high 14.8 points per game in the 2025-2026 season and is currently putting up 15.0 points through two games against the Nuggets.
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